Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-10-06

to speak, but she said not yet. "You say
you have family to bring up, that you
have bills to pay and must not be inter
fered with. You say this to me, think OF
it! Since the day we came here We have
worked and planned together. Lizzie is
already a skillful housekeeper, and
think possesses as many accomplishments
as most girls of her age. I must say that
you have brought her up well and 1 will
not be SO unjust as to withhold just COM
mendations."
The lines about chn's mouth began to
relax. "Our children" she continued,
fare bright, happy and Industrious; and
I feel sure that the nane they bear will
never be disgraced by them under any
circumstances. A woman who can train
her children properly, keep her house
and all matters pertaining to it we'll in
hand, has an equal right with her hus
band to say what use shall be made of the
money she has helped to earn. / now
demand that right. We will not buy
more land at present, but will build the
upright and make our home comforta-
ble."
John looked at the coor as though it
was giving way. I nave no doubt had
he been living in South Carolina he might
have thought it an earthquake, for it
came as suddenly and unexpectedly,
while it left him with that dazed and be-
wildered sensation attendant upon what
is called 'sgood shake"
Elizabeth sat down, took up her knit
ting as though nothing had happened
and waited the result.
John walked to the window, came back,
looked at the clock and finally said:
"Then this is your declaration of indie
pendence, is it, Elizabeth? Well, I will
90 to the village but will try and come
home early"
!. Elizabeth went to the window, he look
ed back and seeing her there lifted his
hat and smiled. Johns smile went a good
ways and it was too much for her inst at
that moment. She broke down complete
ly. But it was natural. It was the nea1-
est to a quarrel they had ever come. One
note after another came from the trees;
the birds evidently thought it would come
out all right.
Elizabeth finally cheered up and she
and 1 had a pleasant visit, as we always
did. About O'Clock started for home
aud on passing down the street I saw
John talking with Mr.. Millbank, the best
carpenter in the village.
The next day Lizzie came over and told
me all about it. The children had heard
part Of the conversation and set their wits
to work bow to help their father defray
the expenses. John offered to sell the
colt his father had given him on the pre-
vious Christmas. Nellie got out her
money box and gave him the entire
amou at of her savings; but when Paul
hammered and battered away at his little
tin bank until he bursted it and came up
with the broken bank in one hand and its
entire contents in the other and offered it
to his father to aid him in building the
upright" John was mastered, and after
giving full vent to his emotions he kissed
each one, and after returning to them
their money, to which he added quite a
sum, said that he had engaged men to
tuild the upright" and that before
Christmas it would be completed.
He bothered Elizabeth by trying to
make her repeat the exact language she
used in her declaration" as he called it.
He told her it was just splendid and that
although he hated to give in ABOUT that
land he did not quite see how he could
help it.
They decided to make the double par
lors with large bay window in the trent
and place in the back parlor. The
weather proved fine and the house grew
rapidly toward completion. The child
rem roamed through the WOODS for leaves
and MOSES to decorate with and hap
pier family never saw. John cam over
one morning and confided secret in me-.
He had EliEabeth's ''declaration' printed
in golden letters on blue ground and
had it beautifully framed. He wished
me to have charge of it and manage
to have it hung in the front parlcr on
Christmas morning as II surprise to his
wife.
Secrets are contagious. Lizzie had Of
ten heard her father regret not having d
picture of her mother dressed as she was
on her wedding day. So one afternoon
she brought out the dress which her moth
er had carefully kept and on her own &C
count begged her to dress her hair as she
wore it on that occasion, wear the same
dress with a cluster of purple daisies at
her threat and have her picture taken. At
first Elizabeth thought it foolish; but re-
Numbering how she treasured the little
picture she had of her mother she con-
scented. She made charming picture. If
her face had lost some of its freshness it
had lost nothing Of its sweetness.
Before she was married, some one re-
marked that it was a pity she should
marry a farmer, as her fine manners and
exquisite taste fitted her so we'll for So
cial life. But liked to think of her in
her country home among the lilies, lark
spurs and holyhocks as tall as herself.
After many busy weeks the house was
finished and very neatly furnished.
Christmas came in clear and cold, but the
sun never shown more brightly. John
seemed boy again, SO proud and happy
was he of the new and beautiful cup
right" Bright flowers bloomed in the
windows, glorious fire blazed and
cracked in the CRATE, and comfort reign
ed supreme.
Finally the guests who had been invit-
ed began to arrive. We received them in
the sitting room until all had come.
Lizzie and I held private consultation
in the parlor, after which John led the
way and welcome ed his cid friend and
neighbors to the new upright" Point
ing to the frame hanging on the wall, he
said: "You have all heard of the Decla
ration of Independence, and remember
that nothing was said therein about
uoneu Hare Is naU declaration made